Google Pocket Guide

Google Pocket Guide, 2003 By Tara Calishain, Rael Dornfest, and D.J. Adams Published by O'Reilly and Associates, Inc. ISBN: 0-596-00550-4 Paperback, 129pp The search engine Google, born on September 7, 1998, derived its name from a word invented by a nine-year-old child, Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician, Edward Kasner. As with precocious children like Milton or the giant bean stalks of English fairy tales, it is difficult to keep up with Google's rapid development. Until I read the Google Pocket Guide, by Tara Calishain, Rael Dorfest and DJ Adams I was unaware of all the things Google has learned to do. Now, in addition to finding Web pages that contain keywords, Google helps me find telephone numbers, solve mathematical equations and cook -- Google can convert cups to pints or just about anything to anything else. Using google maps, I can look at the crater, Giordano Bruno, on the dark side of the Moon, fly to Mars or see my house and yard in a satellite picture that seems to have been taken from only few hundred feet away. The pocket guide is full of information about how to use features I never knew existed. Did I mention Google Images? After reading Google Pocket Guide, I want to read more books about Google. I would like to read Google Hacks, Google: The Missing Manual and Google Maps Hacks. In addition to describing all the things Google has learned to do, the Google Pocket Guide explains how to make searches more efficient (Part II), "explains how to interpret Google's results pages and URLs, and set preferences to influence what those pages contain" (Part III), and goes into advanced functionality like Language Tools, Groups, Directories and News (Part IV). The authors say, "Knowing how to be specific with your search criteria is key. That's what this book is all about." To remember this I think (ASAP=ASAP) the key to getting results ASAP is being As Specific As Possible. For instance, instead of searching every Web site on the Internet, limit your search to educational sites by using special syntax (also referred to as advanced search operators). For example, when I search for "plenoptic camera site:edu" Google will return results from educational sites only. The authors also suggest using basic Boolean operators like NOT, represented by the minus sign, AND and OR. Did you know that Google limits queries to ten words and ignores the rest? Tara Clishain, Rael Dornfest and DJ Adams have delivered a lot of information in only 129 pages. This book is a great starting point for anyone wanting to know Google better. This is a link you might find useful: http://www.google.com/help/features.html. Google is fun:) Michael Morgan

Like all great products, the ability to start using it should be instant, but the possible features up for usage should be very deep. Google makes it simple for anyone to do a search. This book helps make it simple for anyone to do a GREAT search. Well worth the money.

ReviewWhen I got this book from O'Reilly, my first thought was "How cute! A little book for people who can't figure out a search engine." After reading it, I either have to include myself in that group or change my opinion of the book. This is really good stuff!I knew there was more to Google than what I was probably using. I've seen the Google groups area, I've used the image area, and of course I've done web searches. But I didn't realize the power of the search syntax they use on the site. I didn't know that you can restrict searches to document types, include/exclude sites or domains, include/exclude based on posted/updated date, decide whether you want the search term in the title, the entire page, or as part of an anchor link. I didn't realize you could modify the URL on the fly to refine your search without going back to the search page each time. I didn't know anything about Froogle. And I definitely didn't know you could change your interface page to a variety of languages, including Klingon and pig Latin!In a very concise, readable manner, the authors show you all you need to know to get started with the creation of much more powerful searches than you've had in the past. And they repeatedly emphasize that learning how to use Google is best done by experimentation. After reading this book (and it won't take you that long), you'll never view web searches in quite the same way again.ConclusionI used to say that if you give me five minutes, I can find what I'm looking for on the web. After reading this book, I may have to revise that to three minutes. If you get a chance to get this book, do so!

I was interested in this book from the beginning, and I wasn't disappointed. Though I'm basically a computer power user, this book offered tons of info I didn't know about Google.

I've always said "What good is a resource if you don't know how to use it?" Imagine walking into your public library and not being able to differentiate between fiction and nonfiction books, or being incapable of deciphering the Catalog Retrieval System to find your book. With the plethora of obscure information at the deepest reaches of the Internet, you clearly understand the ramifications of not using a top notch search engine. To that end, Google is unmistakably and unequivocally the best search engine available in assisting you with your searches. O'Reilly's Google Pocket Guide, by Tara Calishain, Rael Dornfest, andDJ Adams, should be required reading for not only learning the capabilities of Google, but for getting the most out of your searches as well. They say we only use 10% of our brains (don't quote me on that, but just go with it). I guarantee the majority of Google users tap into less than 10% of the search engine's voluminous capabilities.The Google Pocket Guide is 129 pages broken down into four main sections complete with an appendix and Syntax Summary (very useful). Part 1 explains exactly what Google is and isn't. It also provides a concise overview of how to improve your Google search results. Part 2 called "Asking for What You Want," should be considered Google 101. Here you will find the essentials such as Phrase Searches, Basic Boolean, and putting the wild cards to work for you. The Google "Advanced Search" is demystified as well. You will also find special syntax searches and how to mix them to create powerful possibilities in your investigative quests. Part 3 is all about making Google work for you and understanding the results you requested. This includes not only setting preferences, but how to interpret the results of your Google search. Additional coverage is provided in the "Anatomy of a Search Result" and how Google guides your questionable spellings to assist you. Part 4 for many will be like opening up a whole new world of Google services that will absolutely amaze you! I'm not going to give the store away, but I will tell you this-you will become a much smarter and more resourceful individual after reading this section.As a person that lives and dies by the Internet, I can tell you the Google Pocket Guide is the best ... investment you can make to grow your web experience. Resist your fast food drive-through lunch and go to the bookstore with your [$$]instead...nourishing your mind is a much better alternative!